This program is designed for teachers certified in childhood education grades 1-6 who are interested in becoming certified in teaching students with disabilities. It meets the academic requirements for professional certification in childhood education as well as students with disabilities.

Why Choose Special Education?

Teacher turnover, retirement and rising student enrollment has created a nationwide shortage of educators certified to teach students with disabilities. The 37-credit master’s in students with disabilities (grades 1-6) program is designed to prepare educators to meet the specific needs of students diagnosed with:

learning disabilities
emotionally disturbed/behavioral disorders
autistic
physical disabilities
intellectual disabilities
multiple disabilities

The Curriculum

Educational and psychological research is a core component of this program, as is hands-on experience. Your first semester at Manhattan will be spent developing the ability to evaluate primary research and design a research project — essential skills to keep you on top of an evolving field. Building on this framework, you will learn how to assess academic skills of at-risk, ELL (English Language Learners) and disabled students, as well as how to accommodate students and differentiate instruction in special education and inclusive classrooms.

In addition, you will be required to choose courses that cover the following areas:

language arts
math
science
social studies

What Will You Learn?

You will gain an advanced understanding of what it takes to work with students with mild and moderate disabilities. You will learn to:

use formal and informal assessment tools
plan and implement instruction based upon the needs of students with special needs
implement a variety of strategies and methodologies that provide active engagement in learning
create an environment that encourages social interaction and appropriate behavior
understand the legal and ethical responsibilities of educators and parents in the community
be sensitive to the cultural diversity of students in the classroom
seamlessly integrate technology into instruction

What Will You Do?

Upon completion of the students with disabilities program and passing the New York State Teacher Certification Exams, you will be recommended for New York State certification. You will be prepared to teach grades 1-6 in a special education or inclusive classroom.

Jobs for Special Education Professionals

Careers of interest for special education students include the following.

Kindergarten and elementary school teacher
School counselor
Instructional coordinator